New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-10-06
THE PRESENT WAY GOOD ENOUGH
NO COUNCIL TO TEST DOCTRINAL BIAS.

THE AMERICAN BOARD OF FOREIGN MISSIONS AC-
CEPTs THE REPORT or THE PRUDENTIAL COM
MITrEE.
srRIxoFIErD, Mass. Oct. 5-The City Hall
crowded to-day at the meeting of the American Board of
Foreign Missions After the reading OF Secretary Smiths
report the made OF the death vt ex-
Governor washburn which occurred in the ants-room
very suddenly hush fell upon the vast audience and
the OF President Baretts touching prayer sounded
as IL uttered in family circle Of mourners.
The annual report OF the work China, Africa and the
Pacific Islands read by the Rev. Dr. Judson Smith
aud that the work I'm Turkey. India, Asia and the
Papal lands by Clark Then of the most import
papers OF tho mcetngthe report OF the Prudential
Committee the expedicncy OF calling councils In GER
tain read by Secretary Jndson Smith Its
reading elected frequent and hearty applause The fol-
lowing is an abstract:
At meeting OF this committee In December last. 1t
unanimously decided that the resolution OF the board
referring this question TO gives authority TO call
qne.tion AZ the annual meeting. a majority of the
Communications 10 US advised not to cali councils be
fore that meeting. The question Is not new Inc
clearly could not call presbyteries together
10 ordan candidates under their care Further relet-
ton showed that net proper function or the com
mlttcc any 1t could not he party to meas
ures which rightly originated oHy In church. The
committee has always hcditself to he under obligation
10 scrutinze the doctrine No extra ohciaI rSht mas
But councils represent only few churches, and what
satisfies section will not satisfy another Mission
aries may come from where III councils can only
with difficulty be gathered. owing TO distance between
churches. Conpcis njuct into the ministry. but not
every minister is NJ for foreign work Then councls are
trapssnt bodies aourulng IN few hours anu cannot
have repeated sessions TO ascertain Illness lhey can
not undo harm that they can easily do
seeing then that by general consent such bodies
the board cannot call councils seeing that 70 can te
only In special cases would be open 10 graFe
ana call them In ali cases would he cumbsrsor; see
Ing that councils. being local. enphemera ana ltresPo
sbe Inadequate for the purpose seeing tat nNeu
responsibility In selecting candidates would produce lc
ton aud seeing that unity Of trust in supporting mis-
slonaries has long worked well and VIII secure wide.
harmony than any other method-the committee 90 u.
think the submitted for their Consideration Is
expcdleDt.
This adverse report referred TO resolution adopted by
the board at Moincs last which recommended
to the Presidential Committee TO consider the expsdepcy
I'm difficult OF calling council OF churches To pass
theological soundness OF cauidatsA As soon
"a the report read the Rev Henry T. Cheevcr ohered
re solution that IL is the OF the loyal and loving
constituency OF the American Board mat tne peoi III
future probation permissible on the part OF cahda'cs
for the missionary field and shall not exclude them from
It. This ruled out OF order
The Rev. DR. Todd. OF New Haven made strong plea
against the employment Of councils SO that the en
the poor VINO unlte IN supporting inc ooa,u sa M, -,
voice in selecting the men VINO are sent OUT ny tue
board ,,.,. - ,.
feels bound to accept tho findings OF previous councils
but examines each new pastor when ealing MN ana
what no chufch submits TO- 'his comm'oo oi"'o' Y"
Dr. Ely thought that the rule OF Judging
by the fruits made It wise TO Keep what mas "orAeu 30
well. Let well enough alone.
The Rev Mr. Fisher, OF Maine said no was brought up
n but had never heard 80 much said against
Congregatonasm lie had today In The report oil THO
committee
the report does parage councils IN general Dul he
felt that this proposed o. them would not WORK
TO the board and the board to the churches. -, l.,
The Rev Dr. Magcon OF Iowa SAID that the board, IN
1si set al The question that IL would not transfer the
authority OF tho Prudential Committee TO council
The question was then voted upon, OF adopting inc
last clause the report Of the Prudential Comnl
that sIpedient To call councils to deal Win
difficult and 1t was passed by lloyeas an" ~
--,-,t.. ~,
At the evening session resolution OF appreciation OF
sx.Ooyern6r Wnshburns work and coincidence win ms
family was adopted and q committee OF SIX OF which
Vice President Blachford Is chairman, was appointed
10 atr nj the funeral representatives OF the Pruden
tial Committee.